input on a few ideas for new home

[bobrich]

Hey Folks,

Sorry if these are the wrong groups. Just wanted some quick input on two things i'm planning on for a home we're going to start building later this year.

- drive through garage - I would like to build a drive through garage (garage door on front and back). Seems pretty straightforward to me, given there's enough room for both doors to be installed and there is adequate room behind and to the side to safely navigate a vehicle. Are there any other issues i need to consider? This is primarily a safety thing, pulling forward out of the garage always seems safer, but i think it will be nice for parties, cleaning, etc as well (and force me to keep the clutter down).

- 'hard room' in basement - We will be pouring 9' basement walls for the home. I would like to have a small room (e.g. 6x10) with all four walls poured (corner room most likely. This would be a room for securing valuables and added reinforcement for extreme weather conditions. I may actually go with a poured ceiling (e.g. at 8') as well...not sure yet. I'm starting to do some research on this, because i can think of a number of potential issues from a safety standpoint, but i'm also wondering about stress on the foundation if we used it for one or two of the walls.. Seems like it could cause cracking, and that a freestanding room might be better on the house.

Thanks for any input.

Bob

[gruhn]

I'm not a structural engineer.

You'd lose valuable storage space. I wonder about the missing rear wall's contribution to keeping the whole thing from toppling sideways. Beefing around the doors may be needed. Watch out for power door openers wanting to share space. Watch out for whether you want separate openers or not.

Planning for driveway space can be worked out. Sidesways to the street, a garage can present windows which looks more homey than a big old door so that might be nice. Street parallel, it'd eat yard. But maybe you don't like mowing.

We'll see what the voices of experience have to say.

[++]

Is your garage the most important design element? Why not just a simple porte cochere?

Are you talking tornado proof room? What? Easier below but can be above ground

[mindesign]

if you can afford it and want it, I think the double door idea is a most sound convenience. I concur that when viewed, making a garage a nice addition to a home's silhouette is important. All too many homes here in Australia seem to pay homage to the car, with their garages sticking out like dog's balls and doing nothing to enhance the presentation of a home. Depending on the style of your home, you may even want to consider placing the front garage door under an arched entryway or similar, so much of it is in shadow.... As mentioned, we are in Australia and own a home built in

1880 - our garage door will be a sectional though will look like swinging barn doors, but even with this level of effort to helping it be in keeping with the era, the door will be set back behind an arch. The overall look will be that of a coach-house and will indeed have another door at the back to provide access to the rear yard.

Can't really comment on basements - we don't have them here - or attics for that matter ..... madness I know, but that's how it is. I guess the idea seems sound.

Steve

[Michael Bulatovich]

Neither is a new idea. Do it if you want to.